The Werkstatt-Ø1 is an affordable, educational synth kit from Moog
Oh Moog, you make so many wonderful, noisy and (of course) expensive toys. So you can imagine how excited we were to see the Werkstatt-Ø1, a $329 analog, monophonic synth kit that retained that signature Moog sound. The Werkstatt actually began life as part of a VIP workshop at Moogfest 2014. One of the company's product developers led a two-day event where 125 participants actually built this small analog wonder. The response was so great that Moog actually felt compelled to create a commercial version. The retail kit doesn't involve any soldering however, and we'd hesitate to slap the word "kit" on it as well. Basically, you're just screwing the pre-assembled synthesizer into a case and closing it up. Still, it's more work than your buddy put into that Sub Phatty.
Beyond the affordability and the thick retro tones, the most exciting thing about the Werkstatt is how hackable it is. Along the right of the various knobs and switches for controlling envelope, LFO and glide (among other things) is a breadboard-style patchable header for really messing with the sound. You can use a standard breadboard cable (one is included) to reroute the path of the synthesizer for truly creative cacophony. Plus, it has test points, jumpers and a blank "experimenters pad" where you can expand or modify the Werkstatt to your whim. Unfortunately the Ø1 will only be available in "extremely limited quantities" through select retailers. So good luck getting your hands on one.
